Apparatus for recording three dimensional video and movie camera

ABSTRACT

The present invention is related to an apparatus for recording three dimensional video, and a movie camera which intend to allow recording of images in stereoscopic 3-D with a normal movie camera. This apparatus makes it possible to record images in stereoscopic 3-D which have the same color and brightness of images recorded in stereoscopic 2-D.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for recording threedimensional (hereinafter “3-D”) video and movie camera, moreparticularly, to a 3-D video recording apparatus which allows rapid andcontinuous recording of images from a multiple of perspectives byletting incidence of images of an object from any direction so that 3-Dperception of the object with human eyes alone is enabled, and moviecamera (equipped with such apparatus).

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The 3-D images captured by a conventional 3-D video recordingdevice can only be perceived as three-dimensional when they are viewedthrough a 3-D eyewear, which is inconvenient for the users.

[0003] Recently, a device has been developed that allows 3-D videorecording with a single video camera, which was possible in theconventional art in a clumsy way only through two special stereoscopicmovie cameras. However, a problem with this device is its ghost effectsthat arise from colors of the polarizing plate as well as the liquidcrystal (hereinafter, “LC”), insufficient transmission of the light,incomplete opening and closing of the LC shutter, etc. Furthermore,since such device reduces the amount of light incidence almost up to anhalf (50%) of the given light, due to its use of half-mirror asreflectors (50% light reflecting product), the images taken are too darkand of inferior quality containing serious noise even under a normalindoor light condition that would generally allow a satisfactoryrecording of images, in addition to the annoying obligatory use of a 3-Deyewear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention, conceived in view of the foregoing, aimsto provide a 3-D video recording apparatus which can easily be attachedto/detached from a conventional movie camera without impeding anyfunction of the movie camera and allows recording of 3-D images in thesame brightness and color as in two dimensional video recording so that3-D perception of the captured image with human eyes alone is enabled,and movie camera (equipped with such apparatus).

[0005] The present invention further aims to provide a 3-D videorecording apparatus, which also provides images capable of beingperceived as three dimensional through a 3-D eyewear, by controlling therotating body of the above 3-D video recording apparatus (and of themovie camera equipped with such 3-D video recording apparatus).

[0006] In order to achieve the above objectives, the present inventionprovides a 3-D video recording apparatus, which is capable of recording3-D images while attached to the body of a movie camera with an objectlens, comprising a hollow rotating body; a driving means for rotatingthe above hollow rotating body; a first reflector, which is combined atone end of the above hollow rotating body in a predetermined angle tothe axis of incidence of the light to make synchronized rotation withthe above hollow rotating body, and reflects the light entering theabove hollow rotating body; a second reflector, which is combined with(at another end of) the above hollow rotating body to make synchronizedrotation with the above hollow rotating body, and reflects lightreflected by the above first reflector so that the reflected lightenters the above object lens; and a connecting part, which combines theabove rotator driving means inclusive of the above hollow rotating bodywith the above object lens in an attachable/detachable manner.

[0007] Here, the above second reflector is installed parallel to, butdistant from the above first reflector.

[0008] The above first and second reflectors can be combined with theabove hollow rotating body through the connecting part, wherebyconvenience of the combining can be enhanced if the combining part ismade in thread type.

[0009] The above rotating body driving means can adopt arotating/reverse rotating motor.

[0010] The above first reflectors can also be constructed in a mannerthat the first reflector, which is to be fixed at the above rotatingbody driving means, takes a funnel form with gradually reduced diameterstoward the object lens, while the second reflector is combined with theabove hollow rotating body so as to make synchronized rotation with theabove hollow rotating body.

[0011] The above reflectors are of a spherical form, and the aboveobject lens may comprise a certain lens or prism in front of it for thecontrol of the width of the light incidence.

[0012] The angle of the first and second reflectors to the axis ofincidence of light as well as to the object lens can (preferably) be45°.

[0013] The above objectives can also be achieved by a 3-D movie camerain accordance with the present invention, comprising a movie camera bodyinclusive of an object lens; a hollow rotating body; a driving means forrotating the above hollow rotating body; a first reflector, which iscombined at one end of the above hollow rotating body in a predeterminedangle to the axis of incidence of light to make synchronized rotationwith the above hollow rotating body, and reflects light entering theabove hollow rotating body; a second reflector, which is combined withat another end of the above hollow rotating body to make synchronizedrotation with the above hollow rotating body, rotates together with theabove first reflector while located parallel to, but distant from thefirst reflector so that it reflects the light reflected by the abovefirst reflector in a way that the reflected light enters the aboveobject lens; and a connecting part, which combines the above rotatordriving means inclusive of the above hollow rotating body with the aboveobject lens in an attachable/detachable manner.

[0014] The above reflectors are of a spherical form, and the aboveobject lens may comprise a certain lens or prism in front of it forcontrol of the amount of the light incidence.

[0015] The angle of the first and second reflectors to the axis ofincidence of light as well as to the object lens can (preferably) be45°.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic construction showing a 3-D videorecording apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention as combined with a movie camera.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the motor part ofthe 3-D video recording apparatus in FIG. 1

[0018]FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic construction showing a 3-D videorecording apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention as combined with a movie camera.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are describedbelow in detail, making reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, a 3-D video recording apparatus (10) inaccordance with the present invention records 3-D images while it iscombined with object lens (70) of a movie camera body (80). The 3-Dvideo recording apparatus (10) comprises a first reflector (20) and asecond reflector (30), which form the paths for incidence of light; ameans for rotating a rotating body; and a hollow rotating body (40),which is installed rotably inside of the above rotating means and withwhich the above first and second reflectors (20, 30) are combined. Ageneral motor (50) capable of rotating as well as reverse rotating andof controlling the stopping angle, can be adopted as a rotating meansfor the present embodiment.

[0021] Since the movie camera body (80) illustrated in the drawingsrepresents a customary general movie camera, an explanation on thecamera body (80) and the object lens (70) is omitted.

[0022] The first reflector (20) is combined with the hollow rotatingbody (40) at one end thereof in a predetermined angle, e.g. 45°,thereto. The first reflector (20) makes synchronized rotation with thehollow rotating body (40) when the latter (40) is made to rotate by themotor (50).

[0023] The second reflector (30), being installed opposite to the firstreflector (20) and combined with the hollow rotating body (40), alsomakes synchronized rotation with the hollow rotating body (40). Thesecond reflector (30) is installed parallel to the first reflector (20),tilted to the same angle, e.g. 45°, as that of the first reflector (20).

[0024] Accordingly, when the hollow rotating body (40) is made to rotateby the motor (50), the first and the second reflectors (20, 30) formpaths of incidence of light (L) during they rotate, while maintainingparallel position to each other at any of the 360° directions. Namely,the light of incidence (L) is first reflected by the first reflector(20), and then reflected again by the second reflector (30), so that itenters the object lens (70) of the movie camera (body) (80). Here,inside of the hollow rotating body (40) with which the first as well asthe second reflectors (20, 30) are combined, is formed hollow to allowthe light (L) reflected by the first and the second reflectors (20, 30)to pass through it, and then to enter the object lens (70).

[0025] The motor (50) inclusive of the hollow rotating body (40) isselected in view of the construction, size, weight of the apparatus, aswell as the desired rotation. The motor (50) is installed at the outerrim of the hollow rotating body (40) to enable rotation thereof (40).The rotation speed can be appropriately manipulated considering thespeed of movements of the object and other circumstances.

[0026]FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the motor part ofthe 3-D video recording apparatus in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, themotor (50) comprises as a customary motor, a housing (50 a) at outwardside thereof and a coil (50 b) in the housing (50 a). In the inside ofthe coil (50 b), a hollow rotating body (40) capable of interaction withthe coil (50 b) is provided for. Thus, the magnetic power generated bythe current can rotate the hollow rotating body (40), when power isapplied to the coil (50 b). As mentioned above, FIG. 2 shows only asimplified cross-sectional view of the motor. The inner construction ofthe motor (50) can have that of a customary motor.

[0027] As described above, the embodiment example in FIG. 1 adopts thefirst and the second reflectors (20, 30) in a manner that they arecombined with the hollow rotating body (40) to make synchronizedrotation with the hollow rotating body (40). In contrast thereto, thefirst reflector (20′) in the embodiment example in FIG. 3 is eitherextended outward in funnel form from the cylinder form housing of themotor (50) or from a fixed end, along the cylinder, or fixed in anappropriate manner at the end of the housing (50 a) of the motor (50).

[0028] In other words, the first reflector (20′), which is installed ina predetermined angle to the hollow rotating body (40) all around (360°)the outside of the hollow rotating body (40), takes a funnel form withgradually increasing diameter toward the direction of incidence oflight, while only the second reflector (30) rotates as combined with thehollow rotating body (40). A construction like this can sufficientlyachieve the above desired effects.

[0029] The above first reflector (20′) can be manufactured either bycoating light reflecting material on the inner side of the aboveextended part, or by making the extended part itself with lightreflecting material.

[0030] In the above 3-D video recording apparatus, the first and thesecond reflectors (20, 30) are combined with the hollow rotating body(40) via the connecting part (60′). The motor (50) inclusive of thehollow rotating body (40) is combined with the object lens (70) of themovie camera (80) also via the connecting part (60).

[0031] Normally, object lens (70) of a movie camera (80) has astandardized inner diameter ranging between 25 mm and 52 mm, with afemale screw formed inside of it. This standardized female screw allowscombining of an ultra violet filter, a telescope lens, etc. with theobject lens via a screw. Accordingly, a motor (50) inclusive of thehollow rotating body (40) can be combined with the object lens, by firstcombining the connecting part (60) with the screw of the object lens,and then, combining the motor (50) with the screw of the connecting part(60).

[0032] The first and the second reflectors (20, 30) are combined withthe hollow rotating body (40) via the connecting part (60′). Here, thecombination with the connecting part (60′) can be made via a screw.

[0033] A description of operation of the 3-D video recording apparatusin accordance with the present invention is given below, which appliesnot only to a 3-D video recording apparatus (10), wherein the firstreflector (20) as well as the second reflector (30) make synchronizedrotation (see FIG. 1), but also equally to the 3-D video recordingapparatus in FIG. 3, wherein only the second reflector (30) rotates.

[0034] Upon start of video recording, the motor (50) commences torotate, which initiates rotation of the hollow rotating body (40)installed inside of the motor (50), and then, light (L) is directed intothe object lens (70). However, only light (L) entering the light pathswhere the first reflector (20) and the second reflector (30) are locatedis allowed to enter the object lens after having been reflected by thefirst reflector (20) and the second reflector (30), and then recorded.

[0035] If the hollow rotating body (40) rotates, both the firstreflector (20) directed forward, and the second reflector (30) directedto the object lens (70) make 360° rotation in the same direction as thehollow rotating body (40) of the motor (50), whereby making 3-Drecording of picture of an object by recording images of the objectcontinuously from divergent directions.

[0036] By rotation, sequential shootings from the multiple directionsare taken repeatedly, divided into several frames per second based onspeed of the rotation, whereby the continuous repetition images takenfrom a plurality of directions enable 3-D recognition of the object byhuman brain. Since countries, such as U.S.A., Korea, Japan adopt astandardized 30 frames per second, while the European countries adopt astandard of 25 frames per second, the present invention findsapplication to both of these systems. The Present invention may findapplication to every standard of any frames.

[0037]FIG. 1 exemplifies an embodiment of the present invention, whereinthe first reflector (20) and the second reflector (30), both being partsdistinct from the hollow rotating body (40), are combined with thehollow rotating body (40) to make synchronized rotation, in order toperform 3-D video recording from divergent directions, while FIG. 3exemplifies another embodiment of the present invention, wherein thefirst reflector (20′) is installed around the motor (50) inclusive ofthe hollow rotating body (40) and only the second reflector (30) isattached to the hollow rotating body (40) to make synchronized rotationtherewith, and receives light (L) reflected by the first reflector(20′), which is installed to direct forward in every position, toreflect the light again, so that the second reflector (30) makesreflected light enter the object lens (70), to finally record 3-D imagesof an object.

[0038] By rapidly and continuously repeating the above operations, the3-D video recording apparatus (10) allows repeated recording frommultiple directions of images of an object, through making 360° rotationshooting of light (L) entering the object lens from the front. Suchrepeated images from multiple directions for same object form 3-D imagesin human brain.

[0039] Although the present invention has been described above inrespect to the preferred embodiments, it is not restricted thereto, butrather the scope of rights of the present invention shall be determinedby the appended claims allowing modifications, changes, adaptations,etc., as persons skilled in the art will understand.

[0040] For example, the angle to the object and focusing of the objectcan both be controlled by adjusting angel of the first reflector (20).Further, if a wide angled image is reflected to the object lens (70)using a spherical first reflector (not shown) or a spherical secondreflector (not shown), and this wide angled image enters the object lens(70) through a magnifying lens or a prism installed in front of theobject lens (70), width of the entering light from the reflectors to theobject lens (70) can be narrowed in spite of the wide image angle, sothat effective cut-off of the light directly entering the object lens(70) and widening of the image angle with small spherical reflector isenabled.

[0041] In other words, spherical reflectors can widen the image angle,while the magnifying lens or prism installed directly in front of theobject lens (70) can narrow width of the light. In addition, a concavelens placed in front of the reflector can also be used in place of thespherical reflector.

[0042] Furthermore, recording of 3-D images, which can be viewed througha 3-D eyewear, is also possible by properly adjusting the rotating speedof the hollow rotating body (40), i.e. if the rotation speed of thehollow rotating body (40) is so controlled that it complies with theopening/closing speed of the left/right shutters of the 3-D eyewear, tothe effect that the left/right images are taken to coincide with theswitching of the left/right shutters of the 3-D eyewear, then recordingof 3-D images (with a 3-D video recording apparatus in accordance withthe present invention) that can be viewed by a 3-D eyewear is alsopossible.

[0043] The above description explains embodiments of the presentinvention, wherein the 3-D video recording apparatus (10) ismanufactured separately from the movie camera (80), and then combined tothe movie camera (80) to record 3-D images. Thus, the manufacturerproduces only the 3-D video recording apparatus, so that this apparatusis subsequently combined with a customary movie camera body (80).

[0044] However, a 3-D video recording camera (not shown in the mainfigures of the drawings) comprising a 3-D video recording apparatus asper the present invention in an integrated manner can also fall withinthe scope of the present invention, which 3-D video recording camerarepresents a combination of a movie camera body (80) with any one of 3-Dvideo recording apparatus (10) as per the present invention asexemplified in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. The above explanation of the apparatusfor recording 3-D video is helpful for the 3-D video recording camera.Thus a further explanation of the movie camera is omitted.

Industrial Aplicability

[0045] As described above, a 3-D video recording apparatus in accordancewith the present invention not only allows recording of 3-D images thatcan be viewed three dimensionally without a 3-D eyewear, but also allowsrecording of 3-D images in brightness and color not inferior to those ina two-dimensional recording of images under the same light condition.

[0046] Further, the present invention can resolve fundamentally theproblems of flickering and ghost effects that are frequently found inconventional 3-D video recording.

[0047] Since the attachable/detachable 3-D video recording apparatus asper the present invention can easily be attached to/detached from atwo-dimensional movie camera currently in general use, it allows 3-Dvideo recording of an object not negatively affecting the functions of aconventional movie camera.

[0048] In addition, the present invention can also provide 3-D imagesthat can be perceived three-dimensionally via a 3-D eyewear, bycontrolling the rotation speed of the hollow rotating body in a mannerthat it coincides with the switching of the left/right shutters of the3-D eyewear.

What is claimed is:
 1. A three-dimensional (hereinafter, “3-D”) videorecording apparatus, which can record 3-D video of an object whilecombined with a camera body including an object lens, comprising: ahollow rotating body; a driving means for rotating said hollow rotatingbody; a first reflector, which makes synchronized rotation with saidhollow rotating body while said first reflector is combined with saidhollow rotating body at one end thereof in a predetermined angle to theaxis of incidence of the light, and reflects the light entering saidhollow rotating body; a second reflector, which makes synchronizedrotation with said hollow rotating body and said first reflector whilesaid second reflector is combined with said hollow rotating body,receives said reflected light from said first reflector, and reflectsthe same again so that said reflected light enters the object lens; anda connecting part, which combines said rotating body driving meansinclusive of said hollow rotating body with said object lens in anattachable/detachable manner.
 2. The 3-D video recording apparatus asset forth in claim 1, wherein said second reflector is installedparallel to and distant from said first reflector.
 3. The 3-D videorecording apparatus as set forth in claim 1, comprising additionally aconnecting part for combining said first reflector as well as saidsecond reflector with said hollow rotating body.
 4. The 3-D videorecording apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said driving meansfor rotating said hollow rotating body is a motor capable of rotationand reverse rotating.
 5. The 3-D video recording apparatus as set forthin claim 1, wherein said first reflector is fixed to said rotating bodydriving means and has a funnel form with gradually reduced diameterstoward said object lens, while said second reflector is combined withsaid hollow rotating body and makes synchronized rotation with saidhollow rotating body.
 6. The 3-D video recording apparatus as set forthin claim 1, wherein said reflector is of spherical form, and said objectlens can accommodate a predetermined lens or prism in front thereof forcontrolling the width of incidence of the light.
 7. The 3-D videorecording apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the angle of saidfirst reflector and said second reflector to the axis of incidence ofthe light as well as to said object lens is 45°.
 8. A 3-D movie cameracomprising: a movie camera body inclusive of an object lens; a hollowrotating body; a driving means for rotating said hollow rotating body; afirst reflector, which makes synchronized rotation with said hollowrotating body while said first reflector is combined with said hollowrotating body at one end thereof in a predetermined angle to the axis ofincidence of the light, and reflects the light entering said hollowrotating body; a second reflector, which makes synchronized rotationwith said hollow rotating body and said first reflector while saidsecond reflector is combined with said hollow rotating body at anotherend, receives said reflected light from said first reflector, andreflects the same again so that said reflected light enters the objectlens while said second reflector is located parallel to, but distantfrom said first reflector; and a connecting part, which combines saidrotating body driving means inclusive of said hollow rotating body withsaid object lens in an attachable/detachable manner.
 9. The 3-D moviecamera as set forth in claim 8, wherein said reflector is of sphericalform, and said object lens can accommodate a predetermined lens or prismin front thereof for controlling the width of incidence of the light.10. The 3-D movie camera as set forth in claim 8, wherein the angle ofsaid first reflector and said second reflector to the axis of incidenceof the light as well as to said object lens is 45°.